Stockton private hire driver LOSES licence after outburst at Sainsbury’s and road rage incident
Updated: 22 hours ago
A Stockton-on-Tees private hire driver has had his licence revoked following multiple complaints of aggressive behaviour, including a road rage incident and a confrontation in a supermarket.
The General Licensing Committee reviewed the conduct of the driver, identified as Private Hire Driver 144459, during its meeting on 24 September 2024. The committee was presented with complaints dating back to 2017, highlighting a concerning pattern of behaviour.
The most recent incident occurred in July 2024 at a Sainsbury’s store in Bishopsgarth. The driver entered the store after his passenger was refused alcohol due to suspected intoxication. CCTV footage showed him becoming visibly angry, gesturing aggressively at a staff member. The committee also heard from a witness who described the driver’s behaviour as ‘nasty’ and recalled him threatening that she would lose her job.
Further examination of the driver’s record revealed a road rage incident in May 2024, where he was filmed shouting and swearing at another motorist while transporting a vulnerable child. The footage, circulated on social media, prompted the council to issue a warning letter, stating that any future complaints could result in licence suspension or revocation.
The driver, who had been licensed since 2017, was previously issued a written warning for an incident involving a council officer. In response to the complaints, he cited personal bereavements and stated that his anger management sessions had been focused on coping with grief rather than managing his temper.
Despite apologising for his actions and presenting a character reference from his operator, the committee found that his aggressive behaviour posed a risk to public safety. Referring to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, the committee concluded that the driver was not a fit and proper person to hold a licence.
The committee highlighted that holding a licence is a privilege, not a right, and expressed concerns over the driver’s inability to recognise the seriousness of his conduct, particularly the supermarket incident. Ultimately, they determined that public safety could not be guaranteed with the driver behind the wheel, leading to the unanimous decision to revoke his licence with immediate effect.
